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Brachyplatystoma vaillantii, the Laulao catfish or piramuta, is a species of catfish of the family Pimelodidae that is native to Amazon and Orinoco River basins and major rivers of the Guianas and northeastern Brazil.[1][2]

Brachyplatystoma vaillantii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Family:	Pimelodidae
Genus:	Brachyplatystoma
Species:	B. vaillantii
Binomial name
Brachyplatystoma vaillantii (Valenciennes, 1840)
Synonyms
Bagrus piramuta Bagrus reticulatus Brachyplatystoma parnahybae Piramutana piramuta Platystoma vaillantii

The fish is named in honor of François Levaillant (1753-1824) a French explorer, naturalist and zoological collector, who brought the type specimens to Europe.[3]

Distribution

It is a much widespread species that is found rivers and estuaries of Amazon and Orinoco watersheds, Guianas and northeastern Brazil.[2]

Description

It grows to a length of 150 cm.[1] Dorsum dark to light grey or brown, no spots or stripes. Ventrum much paler to give striking counter shading.[4]

It is entirely piscivorous preying on loricariids and other bottom-dwelling fish.[4]

Ecology

It is found in both freshwater and brackish water systems. It is a demersal potamodromous fish commonly inhabits muddy waters and deeper, flowing channels. Juveniles and sub adults are migratory.[2]

References

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